Elle on the River: Thumbs Up

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Sneak peak. Tacos. Punch. The Langham.

That’s basically all I heard before I accepted an invitation to check out Elle on the River, The Langham’s new outdoor concept that opens on Thursday. The short story is that they are offering 4 tacos, 3 punches and Ell-e’s, which are popsicles on creamy pillows of joy, basically.

The long story is that Elle is an extension of everything that is amazing about The Langham and Travelle– the impeccable service, the inventive drinks, outstanding food- and puts it with an outdoor gazing view of the river and the skyline. And the taco shells are made out of chickpea flatbreads. And they are glorious. The punch is great too- who doesn’t love punch????

So…if you need me this summer, I will be sunning myself at Elle on the River, a taco in one hand, a glass of gin punch in the other. What a great addition to the river- you nailed it again, Chef Tim!

Monday Morning Honesty

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I don’t know about you but I am dragging today. Is it the humidity and heat? That it’s Monday? Because Luna Bell ate some flower petals and I had to clean up their exit from the floor?

If your Monday also feels like an effort of Herculean proportion, be extra nice to yourself today, okay? For me that meant a lunchtime Starbucks run because an iced green tea was the only thing peaking my interest at that moment. Whatever it takes to turn this into a happy Monday…do it, friends.

Women Who Matter

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My Mom raised me on a steady diet of Broadway show tunes, extreme, epic thoughtfulness and the golden rule.

My Step-Mom imparted her uncanny ability to score stellar shopping deals and the necessity of communicating even when it’s hard.

My Grandmother showed that generosity of spirit is always the best policy and following your heart is, without fail, always the right decision.

My friend Kate loves the people in her life fiercely and loyally and extending this to her son is one of the most beautiful things I have seen.

I wasn’t able to be with these moms in my life who have mothered and graciously impacted me in many, many ways today but while grabbing food for dinner, they were so on my heart. So I grabbed a seat at the wine bar and thought of each of them while sipping my wine in the middle of a busy Whole Foods. While it’s Mother’s Day today, I hope that the women who matter in all of our lives feel celebrated every day.

Cheers.

My Favorite Moment of the Week

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I woke up early this morning. Auto-pilot nearly kicked it (get up, get coffee, go for a walk, do, do, do) but I resisted. A week is behind me; work has been done, tasks completed. Next week isn’t yet on the horizon; that’s what Sunday is for. In that moment, for those 20 minutes, I chose to lay in that lofty space where there was no immediate need, urgency or destination. I didn’t think about anything other than how good it felt. Window opened a crack, a bird chirping indicating that it wasn’t freezing out. Partner breathing deeply beside me; cat on his pillow. All is calm, all is bright, all is right, right here.

This little space of in between time on Saturday morning is my favorite moment of the week. And it happens every week. And I love it, I drink it in and then I begin the day.

Happy Saturday.

Unwritten Rule

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It’s an unwritten rule in our house that if a Christmas movie just so happens to be on TV during the “off season” (which, according to my soon-to-be spouse, is anything that isn’t the actual month of December- boo), I get to watch it. Slash, am morally obligated to watch it. Slash, I can’t be judged. I mean, it’s on through no fault of mine, the least I can do is indulge whatever movie is trying to spread joy January through November, right?

You’d be surprised- ELF and Miracle on 34th Street have both been on in the last month.

And Love Actually might be on right now.

Like I would turn off this love fest.

Aside from the fact that I love this unwritten moral obligation, I also love Ryan walking in the door, shaking his head…and eventually agreeing that the best way to spread cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

An Ode to the FitBit

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I cannot believe I haven’t written this post already. In the almost year since I have had my FitBit, I have become some sort of a crazed evangelist. I pretty much tell everyone I run into about my love for the Bit and I am feeling a little stingy about not telling you yet.

Sorry.

Basically, last June, despite thinking I was super active, I realized I…wasn’t. I worked out once a day but with much time spent on conference calls or in airports, I was actually not moving for a large portion of my day. Tied to his desk until all hours of the night, Ryan felt the same way. So to the Apple store to procure some FitBits. I figured it was just a pricey pedometer.

Oh no. No no.

The FitBit has changed how we spend our time. Instead of sitting down when we are done with work, we get out for a walk- we need our steps to hit our daily goal! We get up in the mornings to get activity in before work and instead of waiting at the gate for my flights, I walk. It’s incredible how many steps I can get in an hour looping Midway! I download podcasts so I can learn something while out for my walks and I log my workouts as well so they contribute to my daily activity. I don’t usually log my food intake but I do log water to keep me mindful of being hydrated.

Ryan and I have both lost weight with our Bits but more to the point, we are making being healthy and active a priority and spending time together in the process. Win-win. It’s really great and it’s fun having a shared goal- get out and get moving!

My Dad has always said that it doesn’t matter if you run or walk, it’s getting the miles under your feet that matters and he is spot on. Sure, I still run but if I don’t feel like it, it’s not an all or nothing thing- I can still head out for a walk. And Chicago, my goodness, is a pretty great place for copious amounts of walking.

And that’s what I think about that. FitBit forever.

Image via Runiverse

Link Love

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My mother taught me to always write thank you notes and agree that they’re an “essential part of a social wardrobe.” Note to self: must order new stationary in my new monogram.

In important weekend news: there is a such thing as Flask Bracelets.

What happens when you let your husband be in charge of wedding invitations. This cracked me up.

This Pineapple Mint Julep looks like the perfect accompaniment to watching my randomly selected horse lose The Derby.

“I love hanging out at Navy Pier” and 50 other things you will never hear a Chicagoan say.